Water

Qatar is intensifying efforts to diversify its water sources as concerns over long-term supply security grow, despite its advanced desalination capacity. A new report by Oxford Business Group highlights the increasing need for alternative solutions across the country and the wider MENA region.

Frequently identified by the United Nations as one of the most water-stressed nations globally, Qatar faces a complex challenge: while desalination has enabled reliable supply, it also creates dependency on centralised systems that can be vulnerable to disruption.

The analysis, produced in collaboration with Skydrops Sustainable Water Technologies, explores how decentralised water solutions are gaining traction as a complementary approach. As demand rises alongside population growth and urban expansion, policymakers are increasingly evaluating how distributed systems can strengthen resilience.

The report points to several factors shaping this shift, including fluctuations in energy costs, supply chain pressures and climate-related risks. In addition, heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the region has reinforced concerns around over-reliance on large-scale, centralised infrastructure.

Within this context, technologies such as atmospheric water generation are emerging as viable supplementary sources, particularly in densely populated urban areas where demand is concentrated. These systems can operate independently of traditional networks, offering flexibility and reducing pressure on existing desalination facilities.

The video also highlights the role of digital innovation in transforming water management. Advanced tools, including artificial intelligence-driven optimisation and smart distribution networks, are being deployed to improve efficiency while lowering the carbon footprint associated with water production.

Industry leaders note that while desalination will remain a cornerstone of Qatar’s water strategy, diversification is becoming increasingly important. Decentralised solutions are seen as a way to address distribution challenges and support expanding urban centres without requiring extensive infrastructure buildout.

From a broader regional perspective, water security is now closely linked to economic resilience and sustainable development. Qatar’s evolving approach illustrates how established systems can be enhanced through emerging technologies, creating a more adaptive and balanced model for the future.

As water demand continues to climb across the Gulf, integrating alternative solutions alongside traditional infrastructure is expected to play a critical role in ensuring long-term sustainability.

Kuwait’s Environment Public Authority (EPA) is strengthening its oversight of water resources through enhanced monitoring systems designed to safeguard public health and ensure environmental sustainability, according to a report by Arab Times.

The authority is deploying advanced tracking mechanisms to assess water quality in line with international benchmarks, aiming to maintain access to safe and clean water supplies amid current conditions.

In a televised statement, Abdullah Al-Yateem, head of the EPA’s Chemical Testing Department, said water quality management is guided by standards derived from Kuwait’s Environmental Protection Law. He noted that a combination of chemical and biological indicators is used to detect contaminants and verify that water remains within safe limits.

Al-Yateem highlighted the critical role of EPA laboratories in analysing both drinking water and seawater samples, ensuring continuous monitoring across the entire water cycle. He explained that inspection teams conduct routine field visits across all governorates, collecting random samples of drinking water for laboratory testing to confirm compliance with regulatory standards.

The monitoring programme also extends to marine environments. Samples are regularly collected from coastal areas across Kuwait, from the northern to southern shores, and analysed to assess seawater quality. This process is supported by coordination with other relevant authorities, which contribute additional testing data to strengthen overall monitoring efficiency.

In addition to water testing, the EPA is carrying out checks on marine life, including fish and other organisms, to ensure they are safe for consumption and free from pollutants. These measures are part of a broader effort to protect ecosystems and maintain public confidence in environmental quality.

Al-Yateem reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to adopting best practices in environmental monitoring and resource management. He also stressed the importance of public awareness, encouraging responsible water use as part of wider sustainability efforts.

The EPA sought to reassure residents that drinking water supplies, as well as marine environments, remain safe, emphasising that ongoing testing has not identified concerning levels of contamination.

The intensified monitoring comes as regional authorities place greater emphasis on environmental protection and resource security, particularly in relation to water, which remains a critical asset in arid climates such as Kuwait.

As seasonal rainfall swept across the UAE, LEAD Development highlighted the performance of its integrated water management system at Jubail Island, positioning the project as a model for climate-responsive infrastructure.

The developer said the island’s drainage approach is designed to work with natural processes rather than rely solely on conventional stormwater systems. At the core of the strategy is a network of retention ponds embedded throughout the landscape, which collect and manage rainwater during periods of heavy rainfall.

These ponds, incorporated into parks and communal spaces, are designed to capture surface runoff and reduce the risk of localised flooding. By easing pressure on traditional drainage networks, the system helps maintain operational resilience during peak rainfall events, which are becoming increasingly variable across the region.

According to LEAD Development, the retained water is gradually absorbed into the ground, supporting groundwater recharge and sustaining native vegetation. This process not only improves water efficiency but also contributes to the long-term ecological balance of the island’s environment.

The initiative reflects a broader shift in urban planning across Abu Dhabi, where developers are integrating sustainability into core infrastructure design. Rather than treating water management as a standalone engineering challenge, projects such as Jubail Island are embedding it into the overall living environment, aligning functionality with environmental and social benefits.

Beyond flood mitigation, the system delivers additional environmental gains. By reducing dependence on treated water for irrigation, it supports more efficient resource use while helping to preserve surrounding ecosystems, including mangrove habitats. These natural assets play a key role in coastal protection and biodiversity, making their conservation a priority for sustainable development in the emirate.

The presence of water features across public spaces also enhances the visual appeal and liveability of the community. Landscaped areas designed around the retention ponds provide residents with a closer connection to nature, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on wellness and outdoor living.

Jubail Island forms part of a wider sustainability-driven development model, combining low-density planning with the protection of natural habitats. LEAD Development said this approach is intended to create a balanced environment that supports both ecological resilience and long-term community wellbeing.

As climate considerations continue to influence real estate strategies across the UAE, projects incorporating adaptive infrastructure are gaining prominence. Developers are increasingly exploring solutions that address environmental challenges while delivering tangible benefits for residents.

LEAD Development noted that the system at Jubail Island demonstrates how infrastructure can be reimagined to serve multiple purposes, from managing rainfall to enhancing biodiversity and improving quality of life.

With changing weather patterns placing greater emphasis on resilience, such integrated solutions are expected to play a growing role in shaping the next generation of sustainable communities.

Empower has reinforced its focus on sustainable water management, marking World Water Day with renewed commitments to resource efficiency across its district cooling operations.

The utility provider highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on freshwater by increasing the use of alternative sources, including treated sewage effluent (TSE) and advanced desalination processes. These initiatives form part of a broader strategy to support environmental stewardship while maintaining operational reliability in one of the world’s most water-stressed regions.

Empower reported a notable expansion in its reverse osmosis capacity, which reached 24,969 cubic metres per day in 2025, up from 21,359 cubic metres per day a year earlier. The company also recorded a rise in recycled water utilisation, which grew to 9.22% from 8.3% over the same period. The increase reflects a steady, target-driven approach, with progress aligned to the availability of recycled water supplies.

District cooling systems, widely used across the UAE to improve energy efficiency, require substantial volumes of water for their operation. By integrating TSE and reverse osmosis technologies, Empower aims to optimise consumption while lowering the environmental footprint of its services. The company said these measures are designed to enhance both water and energy efficiency, while contributing to reduced carbon emissions.

Chief executive Ahmad Bin Shafar stated that water conservation remains central to the company’s long-term strategy. He noted that the adoption of treated water and desalination technologies enables Empower to limit its dependence on potable water, while aligning with national priorities around sustainable resource management.

The company’s initiatives are also closely linked to the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, which aims to ensure sustainable access to water resources while reducing overall demand. Empower said its operational model is built around supporting these national objectives through innovation and responsible practices.

Beyond operational metrics, the company emphasised the broader role of water in driving economic and social development. It reiterated its commitment to promoting awareness around responsible consumption and advancing a circular water economy, where treated and recycled water play a greater role in meeting industrial and infrastructure needs.

As the UAE continues to prioritise sustainability, initiatives such as these are expected to play a key role in safeguarding natural resources while supporting continued urban and industrial growth.